Saratoga Springs Democratic platform statement
May 10, 2017 Elections, Local Legislation, Politics
According to the Saratogian, the Saratoga Springs Democratic Committee updated their platform statement in preparation for elections this fall:
“… Preserve and enhance public health and safety: … We support the role of police in protecting civil rights, shielding people targeted by hate and reducing violence. We favor common-sense gun safety provisions …”
They have been trying to ban gun shows at the City Center:
“… In the wake of the Orlando, Florida shooting this month, the Saratoga Springs Democratic Committee is calling for the Saratoga Springs City Council to put an end to gun shows. The committee passed the resolution on Saturday, which asks for the City Council to pass an ordinance that would ban gun shows and the sale of firearms in the City Center …”
Signs, Signs, Everywhere are Signs
Apr 7, 2017 Moonbattery, New York City Legislation
When doing research on Dan Garodnick, who is considering running against de Blasio in a primary, I missed this gem he introduced to the Clown Council:
Int 1175-2016 – A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to placement of signs on all bridges and tunnels entering the City warning of the penalty for possessing a firearm.
§ 19-901 Signs regarding firearm possession. The commissioner of transportation shall post signs at each exit leading into the city, of each bridge and tunnel having only one terminus in the city, stating that the possession of any firearm by a person not licensed by the city to possess that firearm is a criminal offense that is punishable by imprisonment, as per articles 70.15 and 265 of the penal law.
I have a better idea and I know just where to put it:
Challengers for Astorino
Mar 29, 2017 Elections 2017, Westchester County Legislation
Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino will be running for a 3rd term this November. He’s being coy about taking a second shot at Governor Cuomo next year.
The Journal News reports that Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano won’t be challenging him. As a general rule, Westchester residents should not vote for any candidate with the last name Spano.
His one declared opponent is County Legislator Ken Jenkins. Jenkins does not support gun rights:
“Westchester County’s Board of Legislators narrowly passed legislation Monday night that bans gun shows on county property … Legislator Ken Jenkins, D-Yonkers, the original sponsor of the bill, was joined by his Democratic colleagues in the passage of this measure which was first proposed after the school shooting which took place in Newtown, Conn. “To profit from this is just not the business Westchester residents want to be in,” Jenkins said …”
Two state legislators are reportedly considering seeking the Democrat nomination as well.
- Senator George Latimer. Supported the SAFE Act. Voting record shows he does not support gun rights.
- Assemblyman Tom Abinanti. Sponsors and votes for antigun legislation. During debates on the SAFE Act he said (paraphrased) that he didn’t believe guns should be able to hold more than one round.
Garodnick considering challenging de Blasio
Mar 13, 2017 Elections 2017, New York City Legislation
According to the Post, Councilman Dan Garodnick is considering challenging Mayor de Blasio in a Democrat primary:
“Manhattan Councilman Dan Garodnick is talking with former political leaders, Democratic consultants, and donors about whether they would back his candidacy for mayor, political sources said … Sources close to the pol, whose term ends next January, said he is “50-50” about challenging the mayor in September’s primary …”
Garodnick has sponsored the following bills and resolutions during his time on the City Council:
- Int 0240-2006 – Penalties associated with the sale of toy guns.
- Int 0362-2006 – A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the City of New York, in relation to a gun offender registry.
- Int 0365-2006 – Banning firearms, rifles, or shotguns that are colored so as to appear to be toy guns.
- Res 0821-2011 – Close the background check loophole at gun shows by establishing a background check procedure for all firearms sold at gun shows. (H.R.591/S.35)
- Res 1171-2011 – Supporting S.1973, the Gun Trafficking Prevention Act of 2012.
This records makes him slightly better than Tony Avella. So the new order of preference for candidates in a Democrat primary is:
- Anyone not Bill de Blasio.
- Anyone not Tony Avella.
- Anyone not Dan Garodnick.
Office to Prevent Gun Violence
Mar 13, 2017 Moonbattery, New York City Legislation, Politics
Int 1470-2017 has been introduced to the City Council by Councilwoman Laurie Cumbo. The bill would authorize the Mayor to create an Office to Prevent Gun Violence.
According to the bill, the function of the office director would be:
- advise and assist the mayor in planning, developing and coordinating efforts to reduce gun violence;
- engage with members of the community, elected officials, and other interested groups and individuals to develop further strategies to reduce gun violence;
- review the budget requests of all agencies for programs related to gun violence, recommend budget priorities among such programs, and assist the mayor in prioritizing such requests
The real function of the office director would be:
- to allow the Mayor to put one or more of his otherwise unemployable cronies on the City payroll;
- acting as a defacto lobbyist for gun control organizations;
- reviewing the budget requests of all agencies and recommending budget priorities which funnel monies to politically connected associates of both the Mayor and City Councilmembers;
- self-aggrandizement and positioning the director to run for elected office and repeat the cycle all over again
The bill current sits in the Governmental Operations Committee.
Political Theatre, Act II
Mar 10, 2017 Local Legislation, Politics, State Legislation
Follow-up to last week’s post about the Republican’s making partial SAFE Act repeal a partisan issue.
“… During its monthly meeting last week, the legislature approved two resolutions supporting the Second Amendment, advocating for repeal of the SAFE Act and cancellation of the required recertification by pistol owners by votes along party lines. The resolution requesting an appeal of the SAFE Act was approved after a 10-5 vote. The decision was split between Republicans and Democrats on the Legislature with all Republicans present during the meeting voting in favor of the resolution and all Democrats present voted in opposition …”
“… The Onondaga County Legislature voted Tuesday to support a State Senate bill that would limit application of the Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Act to the five counties of New York City … The county legislature’s resolution passed 13 to four, with support from all the body’s Republicans and opposition from the Democrats …”
“… Voted 7-4 in favor of a resolution, sponsored by Legislator Edward Rath III, R-Amherst, in support of state legislation to eliminate some gun control provisions in the state’s SAFE Act. The legislation would apply to areas outside of New York City …”
It is nice having these legislative bodies on record (again) opposing SAFE, but going about it this way is unhelpful.
Candidates for Nassau Co. Exec.
Feb 19, 2017 Elections 2017, Local Legislation, State Legislation
With incumbent Ed Mangano having problems, Democrats are hoping to pick-up the Nassau County Executive’s seat this fall.
So far, three names have surfaced:
- Nassau Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs is supporting Legislator Laura Curran (D-Baldwin). She supports a New Yorkers Against Gun Violence mandatory firearms storage proposal for the county.
- Assemblyman Charles Lavine has the backing of the Assembly Democrat Leadership. Lavine has a long record of supporting antigun legislation in Albany.
- County Comptroller George Maragos. Does not have a record on the issue that I’m aware of.
Assuming Mangano does not run for another term, possible Republican candidates include:
- Former State Senator Jack Martins. Voted for the SAFE Act and ran for Congress last year as the gun control candidate.
- Hempstead Town Councilman Bruce Blakeman. A perpetual candidate who has run several times for higher office and lost each time.
- Hempstead Tax Receiver Donald Clavi. I have nothing on him.
A largely uninspiring bunch of people.
Setting an example
Jan 24, 2017 Guns, Politics, Westchester County Legislation
The Westchester gun show this past weekend was a big success with larger than expected turnout. The County Center is a good location and hopefully they will be able to go back to having 2-3 shows there every year.
Rob Astorino deserves a shoutout for standing up to antigun politicians:
“… [County Executive Rob Astorino] vetoed legislation Thursday that moved to ban gun shows on county-owned property. “I tried to look at this issue not in the emotional way, as some people wanted me to do it,” he said. “There was no justification to ban a gun show based on the facts and based on the law.” …”
Other downstate politicians, especially Republicans, should take note of Astornio’s actions. He called BS on the anti’s hysterics and proved they don’t have the ability to motivate opposition turnout.
Possible Orange Co. bill
Mar 23, 2016 Local Legislation
It has been brought to my attention that someone in the Orange County Legislature plans to introduce a local bill requiring premesis-only pistol licenses be issued by the county, no carry.
That would not be legal as the county does not have home-rule authority. We’ll have to wait and see if any such bill is introduced at the next meeting of the county legislature set for April 8.
Albany storage law
Sep 3, 2015 Albany County Legislation
With little warning, the Albany Common Council pushed a mandatory gun storage law through yesterday.
One of its proponents is being smug about it too:
A common sense law. #Albany https://t.co/ccOyXimZW6
— Leah Golby (@leahgolby) September 2, 2015